Rublev wins in Marseille

Final day in Marseille.

2022 Open 13 Provence - an ATP 250 tournament, on Hard Indoor, in Marseille, France, 14-20 February 2022.

Event held last year from 8-14 March 2021.

2021 champion (not defending):

Daniil Medvedev (1) who defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4 6-7(4) 6-4

Final:

Felix Auger-Aliassime (3) (Canada) v Andrey Rublev (2) (Russia)

Rublev won two of the three previous meetings between the pair, but Felix won the semi final in Rotterdam last week, on the way to securing his maiden ATP title. (In his ninth final).

Rublev had won eight titles from thirteen finals before this one, the latest Rotterdam in March last year.

Felix opened with an ace, and after that was inconsistent, facing break points on two occasions. Strong serves, the second an ace, helped him, and he held on.

Rublev also began with an ace, but struggled after that, unforced errors too prevalent, and Felix broke for 2-0.

The break back was swift, mistakes from the Canadian racquet more than the occasional forehand winner. 2-1.

In game five, Felix was down 0-40 after some Rublev brilliance, including a forehand cross court pass, then a backhand winner in response to an overhead smash aimed directly at the body. Still, Felix managed to save all the break points and hold for 3-2.

Rublev saved a break point before levelling at 3-3.

Serving at 5-5, Felix received a backhand winner from Rublev, then double faulted. At 0-30, Rublev pushed Felix all around the court until the third seed finally put a backhand wide. At 0-40, Rublev hit a winner at the net to seal the break.

Rublev served out the set 7-5.

Felix saved a break point in the opening game of set two, and no real drama until three successive service breaks in games five, six and seven, which left Rublev ahead 4-3 with serve to come.

He held for 5-3.

A love game from Felix forced Rublev to serve for the match.

At 5-4, Rublev double faulted. Felix hit a forehand winner. 0-30. Another forehand winner and three break back points, a third forehand winner and it was 5-5.

Felix saved a break point in game eleven and then held to lead 6-5.

Rublev saved a set point and then forced a tie break.

The first point went against the Felix serve, then points went with serve until Rublev led 5-4 with two serves to come.

Felix returned the first one into the net, then on match point Rublev followed up his serve with a winner at the net to finish the match.

Andrey Rublev won the title in Marseille 7-5 7-6(4).